Laurel and Hardy and the Sons of the Desert are at the heart of Bowler Dessert magazine and Bowler Dessert Online

32nd UK Convention based in Paisley 29th April till 2nd May 2011

Friday While many minds were on the royal wedding, the Sons of the Desert had their own celebration well underway by lunchtime and registration had its own royalty. The Watermill Hotel in Paisley was the ideal venue. Memorabilia sales also got underway. The Parade of Tents was a lively prelude to dinner. Socialising, as usual, carried on into the early hours of the next morning. Janice and Tom Hawton Saturday Paisley Abbey: the Sons inspect There was a Walking Tour of historic Paisley (with questions), ending at the Tartan Rose - The Bonnie Scotland Tent's oasis. Coaches took us to the West of Scotland FC. Lunch was followed by games and the Stan Hooton Memorial Quiz. Stan Hooton Memorial Quiz winners Martin Tierney and Charlie Lewis (Blockheads Tent) with Scorekeeper Janice Hawton and Quizmaster Eric Woods Back at the Watermill Hotel a Civic Reception awaited, followed by the Evening Banquet. Entertainment was provided by Crowded Croft - like two peas in a pod. Sons Entertain was up to the usual standard with some classy acts. Sunday Coaches departed for Bo'ness. The Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway was a magnificent attraction, with an exhibition, shops, a tea room and a journey by steam train. The Hippodrome Cinema in Bo'ness was alive with Sons and members of the public. Stan and Ollie were on the screen in The Flying Deuces and Wrong Again. Averril Renton as Angus MacLaurel Fancy Dress Competition winner: Graham Bishop (as Mr Toilet, a long-standing joke) Mick Brophy as Freddie Mercury and Dave Williamson as a desert chap Back at the Watermill Hotel the Evening Banquet sported many entries for the Fancy Dress Contest. A ceilidh ensued, with Richard Ross and the West Telferton Dance Band. There was a raffle with a huge number of prizes. Monday At the Grand Sheiks' Meeting a vote of thanks was proposed for Janice Hawton and her Bonnie Scotland Tent and it was wholeheartedly agreed that the Grand Sheik and her numerous helpers had excelled. John Ullah proposed that his Laughing Gravy Tent should host the UK Convention in 2012 and he outlined his intentions. The proposal was voted in and Sons will therefore be heading for Birmingham next May. The Saps at Sea Tent will come forward with proposals for the 2013 UK Convention. Final visits to the Memorabilia Sales Room were followed by fond farewells, safe in the knowledge that we will enjoy a similar conclave next year. For more Prize winners Paisley quiz: Martin Tierney Boules game: Martin Craig Hoopla game: Dougie Brown Sons Entertain: Mandy Finney Charity Chris Coffey organised a raffle for the Laurel and Hardy Charity Fund, which raised £285 at Paisley. A donation of £250 from the Fund will be made to St Mary's Hospice in Ulverston.